The Contract

CHAPTER TWO

The two combatants - Lady Elizabeth and Chris Duvier scrutinized each other warily. One was standing behind an oak table with the air of autocracy. The latter exudes the confidence of a well-season negotiator. Each one sizes up the other. The grand lady holds his cold, steely eyes with perceptiveness from age and experience. Graciously she asked him to sit down on the wing chair. He took his time in doing so. Deliberately, choosing the opposite chair. It was a maneuver that the lady took notice of knowingly. She was arching her brow, looking at him with disdain.

"I can see that money cannot buy breeding." The lady said coldly.

"I can see that age cannot curve arrogance," he replied frostily.

 Lady Elizabeth flashed a smile which Chris reacted in surprise. The Baroness looks at him with a meaningful smile. This situation is getting dangerous, Chris silently warned himself. He was wondering why she seemed confident.

"What's your pleasure Duvier that you honor us with your august presence?" Lady Elizabeth comfortably arranged herself in her enormous chair. She looked more in control than he expected. "Was it seven... No, eight years ago, that we last saw you. I vividly remember that last day. Did you?" she asked meaningfully.

"How can I forget, my lady?" Chris smiled sarcastically. "You were very persuasive at that time..."

"I'm not one to ask forgiveness for my past action Duvier."

"My Lady, I'm not asking." Chris matched her tone, detached, and controlled. "It's an impossible task coming from such a distinguished woman to ask for forgiveness."

He continued sarcastically, "This stable boy came here to buy Winshord Castle. Everything and anything on it. Name your price. I will purchase this place."

"My Price?" Lady Elizabeth laughed, amused at the young man's arrogance. "May I know how did you get the idea that I want to—sell?"

"Don't be coy with me, Lady Elizabeth. My men have already investigated your finances. You are selling as per advertise."

"True, I did advertise. The news travels fast." Women could be wily to catch the fish. She baits the information to attract the right customer, Chris Duvier. "Well, did they also tell you what my conditions are?"

Chris Duvier's warning sign suddenly blinked, but he could not help it, "Conditions?" He bites the bait.

***

Agnes agonized and tortured herself with her imagination. She was patiently waiting for the last two hours with no words from her aunt, sternly warning her that she never set foot in the library under any circumstances without being summoned. Making sure Agnes followed the warning; Smith guards her. Ready to pounce whenever she makes a move to the library.

"Smith, you're killing me!" Agnes complained. "I'm about to pee with excitement. Just let me go."

"You can go to the powder room if you like." Smith adoringly watched Agnes toss and turn on the enormous sofa.

Light bulb moment suddenly flashes in her mind. "Oh right, the powder room. Thank you, Smith! "She smiled sweetly at him while averting her eyes from the old butler. She bolted out of the room to the hallway leading to the powder room.

Opening the window just above the sink, she wiggled her body out. She almost fainted when she looked down—planning to scale the wall and climb the library window. Getting inside that opening, descend to the library mezzanine, hide and eavesdrop. Perfect! Her plan sounds fail-proof if she makes it alive.

Agnes sighed, "All in the name of love." She closed her eyes and prayed before reaching out the thorny bushed that grows beside the window. Excitedly, she implements her strategy even it's dangerous. Her prince charming is worth it. She was sighing with pleasure at the idea of basking in his warm smile when they met again.

***

"You what?! Are you crazy?!" The attractive guest blows up his fuse. He always treats older adults with courtesy but not this old cunning bitch. His ears rang when he heard the great Baroness's impossible condition.

"No. I will not do that!" Chris growled at the woman across him. She seems to grow horns right before his eyes.

The violent reaction by Chris Duvier illicit fear in the older woman's heart. Did her calculation about Duvier wanting the castle have been wrong? She hid her doubts quickly before the young man could sense her fear. She needs to act fast before she loses him.

Reassuringly, Lady Elizabeth said, "I know Chris..." Something is amiss here. She had never used his name before. Agnes is in her prime to marry. She seems indifferent in all her suitors." Suitors? Men find her unappealing, Chris thought angrily. From the information reported, Agnes Walden is a candidate for spinsterhood. The plain Jane of the two sisters. He can't even remember Agnes.

"She is a suitable match for you. She is smart and witty. You will never have a dull moment with her. Her bloodline is impeccable."

"I don't want your bloodline in mine. I'm not interested. Thank you for the offer." Chris stood up swiftly and strode out to the door. It's a waste of his time. The lady cannot give up this castle; he will make sure she will. There are many ways to skin an animal. But her voice stops him on his track.

"Remember what Lea told you... on that fateful day?" He paused.

The hurt suddenly came flooding back. Oh yes, that day. "Lea told you, on your wedding day--- that the only way she will marry you is when you give her Winshord Castle. I will not stand against you if you follow my conditions. I'm giving you another chance, Duvier--- marry Agnes." Its gravity descended on him like a slap on his face. "The castle is yours for free. Marriage for just a year, Duvier. If you walked out, you and Lea would have no chance, not in this lifetime." She pulled out a document from a black folder. "Signed this contract, Duvier, or lost Lea forever."

"I can buy her another castle. Even build her a city. I will still have her." He answered coldly.

Lady Elizabeth laughed, "True but not Winshord Castle. Walden family, for generations, have only one mandate. The firstborn will inherit the castle. As the lady of the castle, Agnes will surrender her rights after the wedding." She stood up, walked towards the window behind her, and reflected on the past.

"The sacrifices of the Walden women trying to keep ownership come with a great price. What most woman wants are love and family. Walden women choose a different path. We never marry. Female firstborn entitlement of the castle ends when she marries. She loses everything after marriage." The strange Walden law is foolish, but it helps his plan.

He remembered Lea wearing that simple white gown, beautiful and almost attainable. The Baroness haughtily stood at the side, watching him and Lea with a triumphant smile. That particular day should be a secret between two people in love without her family's censure. It was a secret wedding. Lady Elizabeth's ominous presence spoiled the wedding rite. 

Lea kissed him softly on the lips and said sadly, "I came to say goodbye. This meeting is the last time will see each other."

He hugged her, but she shook him off. "Lea, please don't say it." He pleaded with a trembling voice, "Be my wife, please darling, stay."

"Chris, my mind is made up. I can't live the way you live." She looked back at her aunt, then looked at him, "She will cut off my inheritance. The life I want is not possible with you. It was fun, but it was time to let go. "Her hurtful words shattered his heart.

"I'll work day and night to give you everything. I love you so much. I'm lost without you." 

Lea pushed him away, "Can you give me Windshord Castle? I'm a Walden, and you're a stable boy. Let's end this, Chris. You cannot afford me, even if you work hard. I don't want to be a penniless man's wife. Forget us." She turned away and walked back to her aunt's open arms. She left him behind, too shattered even to move.

That was the day when Chris Duvier became a man. He swore that no woman would ever make him love again. Darkness and silence are the only feelings that remain in his heart. His heart bolted and threw the key to the abyss of desolation.

***

Chris turned around and walked back to the table. He said unemotionally, "Where would I sign?"

The Lady of the Castle smiled. Now, she can see the light in the tunnel. She stood up and beamed at the young man. "You made the right decision, Chris. This call for a celebration."

Lady Elizabeth rang the golden bell, and Smith came hurrying, looking worried. "Lady Elizabeth..." he breathlessly said, "I think I lost Agnes in the powder room."